Sheet-metal-folding machine



' z-sheens-snegn 1.

(No Model.)

- Patented Oct. 29, 189.5'.

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(No Model.) l.9.'Sheets -She e1; 2. W. J. BAYRER.

' SHEET METAL FOLDING MACHINE.

Patented Oct. 29

INVENTUH A TTWINEY.

ANDREW lGRMMM.ENOTWUYMWASNINGTDKDL.

UNITED STATES 'PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. BAYRER, OF MARION, ASSIGNOR TO THE PECK, STOW & WILCOXCOMPANY, OF SOUTHINGTON, CONNECTICUT.

SHEET-METAL-FOLDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION fOImng part Of Letters Patent N0. 549,(I50, dted OCtOlOeI29, 1895. Application filed February 5, 1895. Serial No. 537,417. (Nomodel.)

To ctZZ whom t may concern.:

Be it known that I, WTLLIAM J. BAYRER, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Marion, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new, useful, and valuableImprovements in Machines for Folding Sheet Metal, of which thefollowing, when taken in connection with the annexed drawings andcharacters of reference thereon, constitutes a description sufficientlyfull, explicit, and exact to enable others versed in the nearestrelative art to make and use the same. v

My invention relates to machines for folding sheet metal.

The chief object of my invention is to produce a machine for foldingsheet metal which shall be simple and "durablein construction,

. facile of manipulation, efficient in operation,

and have a large capacity for work. v

Other objects and advantages of my invention will hereinafter appear.

My'invention consists in certain details of construction andcombinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointedoutin the claims.

I attain the desired achievement by the mechanism illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, which said drawings form a part of thisspecification, and represent, in-

Figure l, a plan view of a machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2, aview in front elevation of said machine; Fig. 3, a View in sideelevation of that machine, the toothed segments 33 34 and pinion 36being shown at the opposite side of the machine from that on which theseparts appear in Figs. l and 2; Fig. 4, a view in vertical transversesection of my machine, the cut surfaces all lying in a plane denoted byan arrow, Fig. 1, and the toothed scgment34 being removed; Fig. 5, aview in side elevation, showing detached portions of the machine; Fig.6, a view in front elevation of parts of the machine; Fig. 7, a View inrear elevation of portions of the machine; Fig. 8, a broken view in sideelevation, showing detached portions of the machine; Figs. 9 and 10,sectional views illustrative of modifications in the gage-adjustingmechanism to accomplish the same result.

In said drawings similar numerals of reference indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views.

Referring tothe drawings, 1 l designate the base-plates of the machine,which are connected by a cross-bar or upright 2, formed integraltherewith. Said plates and upright form the main frame ofthe machine,onwhich the various Working parts are supported. Bolted to thebase-plates are standards 3 3, which afford bearings for the journals 44 of a swinging frame, (designated in ageneral manner by the numeral 5,)towhich is joined and moves therewith a wing or table 6. Said swingingframe and the Wing thereof constitute the folding-bar of my machine,which bar is old and is hereby disclaimed.

7 designates theusual folding-plate, around the thin edge of which thefolding-bar turns, and 8 designates the usual jaw that co-operates withthe folding-plate to hold the'sheet of metal while it is being bent bythe foldingbar. Said jaw is stationary and is attached to the cross-bar2 of the main frame of the machine. Said folding-plate is rigidlysecured to a frame, (designated in a general way by 9.) This frame isvibratory by being attached by pivot-bolts 10 to projections 1l on thebase-plates of the machine. Levers 12 12 may be made integral with saidswinging frame or separately and connected with the same, and, ifseparately, the pivot-bolts 10 may serve as fulcrunls for the levers, asdepicted in the drawings. In these levers are apertures and bearings, inwhich are placed friction-rollers 13. The shoulders of thejournals 4 4of the folding-bar (see Figs. 4 and 8) are cut away, as at 14, andotherwise properly shaped, as shown, to form cams for engagement withthe friction-rollers 13 to move the levers 12, the frame 9, andconsequently carry the folding-plate 7 into contact with the sheet ofmetal, and then cause it to co-operate with the jaw 8 to hold the sheetWhile it is being bent. The folding-plate and frame 9 are moved in thereverse direction by a spiral spring 15, Fig. 4, that is vinterposedbetween said frame and the upright 2 and encircles a rod 16, which istightly driven into said upright. Underneath the folding-plate is theordinary gage 17 for regulating the width of the lock to be turned orformed on the sheet IOO of metal. This gage, is provided with two wings18 18, Fig. 1, which slide in ways 19, Fig. 2, formed in frame 9. Thegage also has under-side projections 20, Figs. 3,4, and 5, to which areattached links 2l, which connect the gage with rigid arms 22, Figs. 2and 4, of a rock-shaft 23, extending or disposed longitudinally of themachine and for which the frame 9 has bearings, Figs. 2 and 5. Obviouslymovement of said rock-shaft will cause movement of the gage, and if noother means are provided the rock-shaft may be moved by hand by graspingone or both of the arms thereof. This rock-shaft may be prevented fromturning by a thumb-screw 24,Figs. 2 and 5,in frame 9. Thus the gage maybe held from moving out of the desired position. Although I have shownthe said rock-shaft provided with two arms connected. with the saidgage, it is perfectly apparent that if applied to a short machine thesaid shaft may have only one arm connected with Athe gage, provided, ofcourse, the arm is located centrally of the length of the gage.

The instrumentalities I preferably adopt for moving the rock-shaft 23 Iwill now proceed to describe. Rigidlymounted upon that shaft is atoothed segment 25 in mesh with a pinion 26, Figs. 2 and 3, whichisformed on a shaft 27, Fig. 2, for which the frame9` furnshes bearing,Figs. 1, 2, and 5, and which is held therein by a screw 28, which entersa circumferential groove 29, Figs. 1 and 2, in the shaft. This shaft hasa handle 30, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 5,b`y means of which it may he revolvedto cause, through the described mechanism, movement of the rock-shaft23, and consequently movement of the gage 17. Attached to said gage is aspiral spring 31, Figs. 1 and 4, which is also attached to a hook 32,which is driven into frame 9; Said springof course acts to move the gagein one direction, (back away from the thin -edge of the folding'-plate,) although the gage-adjusting mechanism hereinbefore described iscapable of mov'- ing it in both directions and is employed for thepurpose of retaining the gage inproper position, regardless of play orwear in the said adjusting mechanism. The gage being c'onstantly actedupon by the spring, it is apparent that during the operation of the`machine it will never be displaced. The said spring being a yieldingmeans for retaining the gage in its proper place, it of course does notinterfere with or hinder movement of the gage by the adjust-ingmechanism, and therefore it does not require manipulation preparatory ia nut 46 on slide 44. A screw projection 47,

1 to adjusting the gage.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the draw'- ings, 33 designates atoothed 'segmentwhich is rigidly secured to one of the journals 4 of thefolding-bar. 34 designates a like segment, which is loosely placed' on astud 35, that is secured to one lof the standards 3, and 36 designatesan intermediate pinion meshing with said segments and 'loosely mountedupon a stud 37, which is also secured to said standard. Aflixed to thehub of the segment 34 is a handle or lever 38, by means of which thefolding-bar may be turned through the described gearing. The relativesizes of the two said segments are such that the foldingbar may be movedquite rapidly, thus giving the machine a very large capacity, especiallyon cemparatively thin sheet metal. This mechanism for imparting motionto my machine is of practical importance, because the `machine is soconstructed as to work very easily. For folding thick sheet metal thesaid lever 38 may be disconnected from the said segment 34 and attachedto the foldingbar in the ordinary manner, as is most clearly shown inFig. 3 of the drawings.

The swinging frame 4 and its wing G are pivotally connected o r hingedtogether in the usual manner, as at 39 39.

4G designatesthe customary wedge-bar, Fig. 4, adjustably mounted in theframe 5 in the ordinary way-#that is, it has a screw projection 41,passing through a slot 42 iu said frame, on which projection there is anut 43, which abuts against the frame to hold the wedgebar in place.Said bar engages the wing 6, that the frame 5` may move the wing, asdesired, and is used to vary the distance between the wing and the thinedge ot' the foldingplate 7 in order to obtain both close and openlocks.

44 designates a bolt-shaped reciprocatory slide in frame 5, Fig. 4, thehead of which engages the wing 6 and the shank of which is encircled bya spiral spring 45, one end of which is in contact with the head of theslide and the other with said frame, and which spring through said slideholds said wing so that the upper surface or top thereof will be,regardless of the position of the wedgebar 40, in line with or higherthan the top or clamping face of the jaw 8 when the foldingbar is in theposition it occupies preparatory to feeding a sheet of metal to themachine. Said wing being supported as stated,it is obvious that thefeeding of the sheets of metal to the machine is thereby facilitated orquickened, because the operator may then slide a sheet of metal on saidwing and over said jaw and against the gage 17, the jaw being not theobstruction in the way of such feeding it otherwise would be in case offorming open locks. The described mechanism for holding up the wing 6being yielding, it is apparent that it will not interfere with theaction of the foldingbar. The actuation of said wing by the spring 45may be properly limited by Fig. 4, of the cross-bar or upright 2 limitsmovement of the folding-bar. A jam-nut 48 thereon prevents thatprojection from turning.

The folding-plate 7 is held upon the frame 9 by screws 49, the threadends of those screws being in the frame and the plate being slotted, asshown, for the reception of the screws and to allow adjustment ofitself. Set-screws .50, passing through lugs on the frame 9 and IOO IIC

engaging the front edge of the folding-plate,

are means whereby that plate may be moved toward the axis of thefolding-bar and also held from slipping on said frame during theoperation of the machine. The folding-plate being adjustably secured toframe 9, and therefore being adjustable in relation to the axis of thefolding-bar, it is perfectly apparent that when the thin edge of theplate is worn the plate may be removed, repaired, and reset. By havingthe folding-plate adjustable I am thereby enabled to form a more openlock on the metal with my machine than is otherwise obtainable. Inconnection with this it may be well to state that the farther the thinedge of the folding-plate is from the axis of the folding-bar the moreopen the lock will be.

It is to be observed that by adjusting the fold-` ing-plate so that thethin edge thereof instead of being parallel with the axis of thefoldingbar will be slightly inclined relative thereto tapered locks maybe made with the machine.

Screws 51, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, are entered in slotted extensions ofthe swinging frame 9, Figs. 1 and 2, and have their threaded endsin thelevers 12 12, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4. Thus the said frame and said leversare adjustably connected and for the mere purpose of taking up wear.

Bolts 52, Figs. 4, 6, and 7, hold the jaw 8 on the upright 2, theupright being chambered, as at 53, Fig. 6, to receive said bolts and thenuts 54 thereof and to permit adjustment of said jaw in relation todifferent thicknesses of metal. Integrally made with the upright 2 is ashelf 55, Figs. 4 and 7, .on which is a wedge 56, which is employed tosupport the jaw 8 and to force it upward in adjusting it for dierentthicknesses of metal.

Cap-screws 57, having their threaded ends entered in the base-plates 1,hold the standards 3 on those plates, the feet of the standards beingslotted, as at 58, for the reception of said screws and to permitadjustment of the standards. Screws 59 in lugs or projections on saidplates are means whereby the standards may be moved. The describedadjustability of said standards is advantageous in assembling the partsof the machine, and also I am thereby enabled to forma more open lockwith the machine than could otherwise be made. I-Iere it may beadvisable to state that the adjustability of the standards ren ders thefolding-bar adjustable in respect to the folding-plate.

In the upright or cross-bar 2 and located centrally of the length of themachine is a screw 60, on which is a jam-nut 61, by which the screw maybe locked against turning. The base-plates 1 and said screw are thefasit may be said, three legs of the machine, and the screw may be adjustedto accommodate the legs to any unevenness of the bench upon which themachine is mounted. Provided with the said screw 60 the said cross-bar 2may be lighter than it otherwise desirably could be,

and strong enough to successfully withstand the strain thereon while themachineis in use.

It is to be remarked that some of thedevices hereinbefore describedadmit of alteration without departing from the province of my invention.Foriustance, instead of being connected with the gage 17 in thepreferred manner, each arm 22 of the rock-shaft 23 may be slotted, as at62, and each projection 20 of the gage may be provided with a pin 63 forworking in said slot, as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings. Another methodof connecting the said arms 22 of the said rock-shaft 23 with the saidgage 17 is as follows: Inspecting Fig. 10 of the drawings, it will benoticed that an arm 22 of the rock-shaft 23 may bear directly against aprojection 2O of the gage 17. By this construction the gage, may bemoved in one direction by the adjusting mechanism and oppositely by thespring 31. The principal objection to this construction may be foundin'the fact that the gage sometimes sticks in its bearings and refusesto be moved by said spring unless the spring is very powerf ul, which isnot desirable. Therefore, in consideration of the modificationsspecifically described in the immediate preceding paragraph, whichrequire no invention to perform, I wish it distinctly understood thatinthe forthcoming claims I do not choose to confine myself to control ofthe precise construction andarrangement of the parts of mymachine asherein described, but do propose to cover all mere formal variationsthat fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as novel, and desire tosecure by Lettersl Patent, is-

1. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, the combination, of thefolding-plate 7, the moving frame 9 hinged or pivoted to the main frameof the machine, -said plate 7 being mounted on said frame 9, levers foractuating said moving frame, cams acting upon said levers, and a jawcooperating with said folding plate to hold a sheet of metal while it isbeing bent, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

2. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, in combination, thefolding-plate 7, the moving frame 9 hinged or pivoted to the main frameof the machine, said plate 7l being mounted on said frame 9, a movingfolding-bar, cams formed on, or carried by, said bar, connectionsbetween said frame 9 and said cams whereby the latter operate to movethe former, and a jaw co-operating with the said folding plate to hold asheet of metal, all substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, the combination, with afolding-plate, of aswinging frame on which said folding plate ismounted, cams operating to move said frame in one direction, a springfor moving it in the reverse direction, and a jaw co-operating with IOCIIO

I'zo

said folding-plate to hold a sheet of metal, all substantially asdescribed, and for the purpose specified.

Il. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, the combination, of afolding-plate, a swinging frame carrying said folding-plate, a movingfolding-bar, the levers 12,12, for moving said frame, the frictionrollers 13, 13, in said levers, cams on said folding-bar for engagementwith said rollers to move said levers said frame and said folding plate,yielding means independent of the folding-bar for moving said frame inthe opposite direction, and a jaw tao-operating with said folding-plateto hold a sheet of metal, substantially as described, and for thepurpose specified.

5. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, the combination of theadjustable non-pivotal gage 17, and the longitudinal ,rock-shaft 23having one or more arms 22 connected with said gage, substantially asand for the purpose specified.

6. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, the combination of theadjustable gage 17, the longitudinal rock-shaft having one or more armsconnected with said-gage, the toothed segment on said shaft, and a shaftprovided with a pinion in mesh with said segment, all substantially asand for the purpose set forth hereinbefore.

7. In a machine for folding sheet metal, the combination of theadjustable gage 17, mechanism for moving said gage in one direction,such mechanism not acting to move said gage while the machine is inoperation, and yielding means independent of said mechanism for movingthe gage in the reverse direction, substantially as described, and forthe purpose specified.

8. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, the combination, with theadjustable gage 17, of mechanism for moving said gage in one direction,such mechanism not acting to move the gage while the machine is inoperation, yielding means independent of said mechanism for moving saidgage in the opposite direction, and means for preventing movement ofsaid mechanism, substantially as described, and for the purposespecified.

9. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, the combination, with afolding-bar consisting of a swinging frame and a wing or table soarticulated to such frame as to permit independent movement betweenthem, of yielding means acting upon said wing or table to hold it insuch position as will facilitate the feeding of the sheets of metal tothe machine, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

10. In a machine for folding sheetmetal, in combination, a movingfolding-bar, and a folding-plate, this plate being secured to a frameand adjustable thereon with reference to the axis of the folding-bar,substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

11. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, in combination, a movingfolding-bar, a foldingfplate, this plate being secured to a frame andadjustable thereon with reference to the axis of the folding-bar, andscrews for moving said plate on its frame, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

12. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, in combination, thefolding-plate 7, the moving frame 9 to which said plate is affixed, thelevers 12, 12, and bolts entering slots in said frame and connecting itwith said'levers, substantially as described, and for the purposespecified.

13. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, the combination, of the movingfolding-plate 7, the upright 2, and the jaw 8 attached to said uprightand adjustable thereon in relation to different thicknesses of metal,the upright being chambered as at. 53 for the reception of the bolts andnuts that hold said jaw thereon, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

14. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, the moving folding plate 7,the upright 2, the jaw S adj ustably attached to said upright, and awedge for moving the jaw, in combination, and substantially asdescribed, and for the purpose specified.

15. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, a folding-bar Whose journalshave stationary bearings that are adjustable in order to have said baradjustable in respect to the foldingplate of the machine, substantiallyas and for the purpose specified.

16. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, a folding-bar, standardsadjustably affixed to the main frame of the machine, those standardsbeing provided with bearings for the journals of said folding-bar, andscrews for adjusting the standards, in combination, and substantially asdescribed, and for the purpose specified.

17. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, the base-plates 1, 1, andcross-bar 2, constitut ing the main frame of the machine, in combinationwith the jaw 8 on said cross-bar, the moving folding-plate 7, and thescrew 60 in said cross-bar, substantially as described, and for thepurpose specified.

1S. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, the combination, of the movingfolding-plate 7, the upright 2, and the jaw 8 secured to said uprightand adjustable thereon in relation to different thicknesses of metal,substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

19. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, the combination, with theadjustable gage 17, of a spring acting upon the said gage to move itback away from the edge of the foldingplate of the machine, said springacting, not to move, but to prevent movement of, said gage, while themachine is in operation, substantially as described, and for the purposespecified.

20. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, in combination, a folding-bar,and adjustable standards having bearings for the journals of IOO IIO

said bar, the said standards being slotted for the reception of thescrews that hold them on the main frame of the lnachine,substantially asdescribed, and for the purpose specified.

2l. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, a folding-plate, 7, adjustablein respect to the moving folding bar of the machine, this plate beingslotted for the reception of the screws that hold it on its frame,substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

22. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, in combination, afoldingplate,7,a swinging frame, 9, carrying said plate, said platebeing connected with nothing else, a jaw, 8, co-operating with saidplate to hold a sheet of metal while it is being bent, and camsoperating to move said frame, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

23. In a machine for folding sheet-metal, in combination, the swingingframe 5, the wing or table 6, pivoted to said frame 5, the wedge 40, foradjusting said wing or table 6, and the spring-pressed slide 44, foracting upon said wing or table 6, substantially as described, and. forthe purpose specified.

In evidence that the foregoing is claimed by me I have hereunto affixedmy signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WM. J. BAYRER.

Witnesses:

EDWIN S. TODD, FRANKLIN W. BATES.

